Two new judges in SC takes oath; top court gets first judge from Manipur

 

Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, and Chief Justice of Madras High Court, R. Mahadevan, took oath as Supreme Court judges today. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud administered the oath.

 

Their appointment has restored the top court's full strength of 34 judges, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

 

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Acting Chief of Madras High Court R Mahadevan for elevation to the top court.

 

Justice Singh is the first judge from the state of Manipur to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court.

 

"His appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court will provide representation to the North-East, and in particular, he will be the first judge from the State of Manipur to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court," stated the resolution of the Collegium.

 

The collegium consisted of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy.

 

Recommending elevation of Justice Mahadevan, resolution stated that he belongs to a backward community from the State of Tamil Nadu and his appointment will bring diversity to the

Bench.

 

The Collegium had taken due note of the fact that Justice Mahadevan ranked third in the order of presently serving judges of the Madras High Court, including the judges who have been posted as Chief Justices outside the Madras High Court, the resolution stated.

 

"At this stage, the Collegium has given precedence to the candidature of Justice Mahadevan in order to give representation to the backward community. For the above reasons, the Collegium is of the view that he is suitable and fit for being appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court," it added.

 

The two judges were recommended for elevation as there are two vacancies in the Supreme Court. Justice Aniruddha Bose retired on April 10, 2024 and Justice AS Bopanna retired on May 19, 2024.

(With ANI inputs)